Siphonic flushing device



Patented July 20, 1926,

entre stares PATENT oFFicE..

ROBERT A; BRGKS, 0F CHICAGO, L'L'INOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO SYPHO-METER 'i MFG-- C0., OF CHCAG-O, ILLINOES, A CORPORATL'N 0F DELAWARE.

Application filed April 1, 19246. Serial No. 99,168.

My invention relates to a flushing device ci the siphonic type, suitable for use in a water closet7 Whether it be used singly, or in a battery of such closets. The .object of my invention is to provide a simple and efticient device' of improved constructiont which by reason of .certain novel and original features of construction and arrange l ment of the parts shall operate with certainty and precision, and be little liable to derangeinent because ci sediIn-ent or foreign particles carried by the Water with which it is operated, or from other causes. To this end l have devised and invented the icliisli ing devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described in dev tail7 my invention residing in the novel construction of the associated parts and members7 functioning as described, as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood, however, that the particularconstructiondescribed is susceptible of variation and inodiiication and that l desire the claims to be construed to cover alljcombinations of .elements correspondinf-Y in ur Jose and function to those described nii-d not departing substantially from the substance and spirit of my invention. n

ln the drawings7 Fignrel is a side view, on a small scale, of a master tank and two or' my improved flushing devices which may be token to kbe devices installed in adjoining closets et s battery of closets supplied by a sin, supply line controlled by the master tenir; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of a single devicein the plane indicated by the dotted section line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and lool@ ing in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. l is a central vertical section ci' the same in a plane right angles to the plane .of Fig.v 2 and looking from left to right as the parts are shovvn'in such figure; Fig is a horizontal section on plenos indicated by the section li e of Fig. Il; Fig. 6 is'avieiv of valve and valve2 'and a check valve carried o thereby, detached, and partly in section; Fig.

7 is a detail ot regulating screw shown in vertical section on the plane indicated by the dotLe l line 7-7 on Fig. 3,' Fig. 8 is a perspcct' e ci' a portion of the lower end of an adjustable sleeve on the lower end of an airinlet tiibe'torining part of the device for timing the length of the flushing action of the device, and Fig. 9 is a horizontal section ofthe saine portion of the device in the plane indicated by the dotted line 9--9 of Fig. 4.

Like reference characters indicate like parts in all the iigures of the drawing.

lt will be understood that the master tank 1 is connected with ak service pipe 2 andv is equipped With inlet valve mechanism 2a, .(shovvn in dotted lines) arranged to automatically control the admission of Water and moin-tain it ka. given level therein, and that the supply pipe 3 is in open communication with the master tank and is arranged to supply the iiushing devices, Whether one or more; the tank, vsupply pipe and flushing devices being .arranged at a suitable height,- say live or six feet-tc produce an eicient siphonic flushing action.

lhe supply pipe .3 may conveniently consist of sections united by fittings e which through .a suitable :intermediate member 5 and union -6 is arranged to support the inlet neck 7 of the flushing device. An inwvardly Opening check valve .8 mounted to swing on a segmental supporting pin .9 carried by a ring 1K0 secured to the noch 7 of the device permits Water to flow freely into the device from the supply pipe, but prevents jlow in the opposite direction.

The body ll of the device is interiorly chambered to form a coned valve seat 11"L belon7 the neck 7 and the lower end is exteriorly threaded for connection with the flushing pipe 12. ln the present instance the portion of the casing of the device above the body 11 .consists of a cylindrical shell 13 which at the top is closed by a flanged collar 14C and a cap 15 secured thereto, the latter being formed With a' forked bracket 16 providing apivotal support for the operating lever 17 by means of which the device is operated. An adjustable leali openin-O` through the cap l5 is provided by a slotte regnlatin@ screw 15'a which may be adjusted to vary the area of the slot opening exposed.

In the chamber Within the body 11 and shell 13 of the casing is arranged an overovv pipe 18 which is equipped at its lower end with a valve member 19 arranged to cooperate with the valve seat 11-a before mentioned. Near its upper .end this pipe 18 is orificed to receive a transversely arranged guide pin 2O which is engaged by an oriticed block 21 secured to the lower end of a lifting rod 22 which is slidingly mounted in the cap l5 and is equipped at its top end with a flanged nut 23 arranged to be engaged by the forked end ot the operating lever 1T before mentioned.

It is obvious that when the pipe 1S and valve 19 carried thereby are lifted by operation of the operating lever, water will flow by gravity through the ilushing pipe l2, and that when the lever is released and the valve reseats the weight of the water column in the flushing pipe and overflow pipe (which then together form one leg of a Siphon) will initiate a siphonic tlow of water upwardly from the inlet of the device over the top ot the overflow pipe, and this flow will continue until the Siphon is relieved. This is aecomplished through the regulating means next to be described.

The body l1 of the device is formed with a threaded boss 24 arranged to receive an elbow 25 within the horizontal bore of which a ball check valve 2G is arranged to seat against a hollow plug 27 seated within the end of the elbow. Adjacent the angle ot the elbow, the elbow is termed with a stop 2S limiting its movement. To the vertical portion of the elbow is secured the base 29 of a casing enclosing a regulating chamber, this casing including the base 29, a cylindrical shell 30 and a cap 3l formed with an air opening 31a. The cap 3l is provided with a central boss through which passes an air inlet tube 32 secured to an elbow having a horizontal member which makes a snug slip joint connection with a section oic the air inlet tube extending downwardly through the cap l5 of the device into the overflow pipe to a. point a short distance below the top ot such pipe. lThe lower end of the air inlet tube 32 within the regulating chamber is slotted and equipped with a .split regulating sleeve arranged to expose more or less ot' the slot above the lower end of such tube. To this end the lower end ot' the tube is formed with a short longitudinal corrugation 321 which coacts with the edges ot' the sleeve along its split opening in such manner as to yieldingly retain it in any position of longitudinal adjustment on the tube.

In axial alignment with the air inlet tube the elbow 33 is formed with a. valve seat arranged to cooperate with an air inlet valve 35 carried by the upper end oit a valve rod 3 l extending axially through the inlet tube and adapted to be lifted by a cup 37 arranged within the regulating chamber, in av manner later to be described. The lower end of the valve rod is headed and slidingly supports a check valve 38 which cooperates with the lower end of the air inlet tube under certain conditions arising during the operation of the valve, the adjusting sleeve 34 providing for a regulated and restricted flow et water past such valve 3 to govern the timing of the flushing operation.

Tvvhen the operating lever is lifted and released and a siphenic flushing flow initiated as hereinbefore described, the reduction in pressure opposite the ball check valve 25 causes such valve to seat against the plug 3T, and the reduction ol pressure also extends through the air inlet tube 32 and causes the check valve 88 to be immediately lifted to seat against the lower end of such tube, and then draws water from the regulating chamber on the inside ot the cup 3T at a rate determined by the adjustment of the sleeve Then the water in the regulating chamber sinks below the top ot the cup. water is of course drawn from the cup only, and when it has been drawn from the cup to a level where its buoyancy exceeds its weight it begins to float and rise in the chamber, the level of the water between the sides of the cup receding as water is drawn from within the cup and its lifting etfect increases. lvllhen the water in the cup is drawn off to the level et the opening through the sleeve 3lot' the air inlet tube, air is drawn through the tube an immediately relieves the Siphon .in the iiushing pipe at the end of the air inlet tube, the water in the column below the end of the air inlet tube falling through the flushing pipe and terminating the mai flushing flow, and the portion of the tube above such level continuing to draw a much reduced vl'low of water siphonically over the top ot' the overflow pipe to produce an after flush.

The breaking of the flushing flow of the siphon practically restores the gravity pressure opposite the ball check valve 2t and permits a somewhat restricted tlow past such valve into the regulating chamber. Rit the time the Siphon is broken the water in the cup has been drawn down to a level at which air is admitted through the iniet tube to break `the main ilush of the siphon and the cup has lioafed to a level adjacent or contacting the lower end of the valve rod 3G. The inflow ot water past the ball check into the regulating chamber then raises the cup and also the valve rod and the valve 35 to uppermost position, thus providing the air inlet tube with an air inlet past such valve in addition to the one at the slotted lower end of the tube, or in place ot such last mentioned opening in case the lifting of the cup causes submergence of the lower end of the tube. T his linal upward movement occurs quickly, and the further restricted flow of water into the regulating chamber causes the water to gradually overflow into the cup until its buoyancy is overcome, when it at once sinks to normal lower position, restoring` the air inlet valve to closed position,

lll() lll Lacasse ready for afurther flushing operation as soon the normal water level in the regulating-chamber is reached.

lnwtlie meantime the after flush due to the short column voiawater remaining at thee-top of the Siphon chamber (above the end et the-air inlet tube) continues until enough air is drawn through the leal; opening in the regulating screw 15a, to entirely break the siphon, 4thus stopping all ilow of water through the flushing pipe. It will lee understood that the Vmain flush through the siphcn is so active that it entrains all the air which can pass through this leak port, which therefore does not aiect the flushing operation. 'The amount of after iiow can be regulated lov adjustment oi the screw which controls the size of the leali opening.

'The operation off any one device of a battery 'of closets obviously causes a reduction of pressure which extends to the adjacent portion of the-main supply line and, especially inr the event of simultaneous flushing of several `adjacent closets, this might result invenlhausting the water from the short legs of the siplions of the unused adjacent devices and drawing air upwardly through the flushing pipes, connected thereto, except for the provision of the check valves 8, which serve to Aprevent back flow and maintain ya sufficient body of water in such devices to insure the initiation of a siphonic lusli in any particular closet upon actuation ofthe operating lever.

l claim:

l. In combination with a supply tank provided with means for maintaining a constant level of water therein, Aa flushing device including a casing `formed with a vertically disposed closed chamber communieating laterally with said supply tank and arranged to `contain water at the level of such tank, a flush-ing pipe connnunicating with said chamber below its supply connection, an overflow pipe in said chamber formed at its lower end' with a valve gov`v 'e1-ning communication between the annular space varound said pipe and 4said flushing pipe, and moans for lifting said overflow pipe to initiate a flush of water through said flushing'pipe, said overflow pipe and flushing pipe together acting as a Siphon to continue the flush upon the lowering of governing communica-tion through said supply connection, la flushing pipe communicating with said chamber below its supply connection, an overiiow pipe in 'said chamber formed at its lower end with a valve governing communication between the annular space around said pipe and said ushing pipe, and means for lifting said overflow pipe to initiate a flush of water through said flushing pipe, said ,overflow pipe and flushing pipe together acting a Siphon to continue the flush upon the lowi ering of the overflow pipe.

3. ln .combination with a master supply tanlr provided 'with means for maintaining a constant level of water therein and a linel of supply pi ing in open .communication with said tan' i, a plural-ity of .flushing devices cach including a casing formed with a vertically `disposed chamher vand supply-connection communicating with said supply piping and opening laterally into said chamber, an inwardly opening check valve governing communication through said supply connection, a flushing pipe communicating with said chamber below 'its supply connection, an overflow pipe in said chamber formed at its lower end with a valve governing communication betweenl the annular space around said pipe and said flushing pipe, and means for lit-ting said overflow pipe to initiate a flush of water through said flushing pipe, said overflow pipe and hushing pipe together acting as a Siphon to continue the flush upon the lowering of the overflow pipe.

4. A liushing `device according to claim l in which said casing and said overflow' pipe are concentrically arranged' cylindrical members and said overflow pipe is equipped with laterally extending guide members yadjacent its top. n f

5. A flushing device according to claim l in which said casing and said overflow pipe are concentrically arranged cylindrical members and said casing is formed with a coned valve seat at 'its bottom and the lower end of said overflow pipe is yequipped with a radially extending annulai valve.

In combination with a supply tant: provi-ded with means `for maintainingl a constant level of water therein, a ushing device including a casing formed with a vertically disposed closed chamber conimunicating laterally with said suppl-y tanlt and arranged to contain water at the level of such tank, a flushing pipe communicating with said chamber below its supply connection, an overflow pipe in said chamber formed at its lower end with a valve governing communication between the annular space around said pipe and lsaid flushing pipe, means for lifting said overflow pipe to initiate a. flush of water through said flushing pipe, said overlow pipe and flushing pipe together acting as a sipho-n to continue the flush upon the lowering of the its overflow pipe, and means for regulating the length of main siphonic flush and producing a diminished after iiow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber having check-valve-governed communication with said iirst mentioned chamber, and an air inlet tube having depending branches extending into said overflow tube and into the lower end of said regulating chamber, said air inlet tube having restricted communication with said regulating chamber.

7. In combination with a supply tank provided with means for maintaining a constant level oic water therein, a flushing device including a casing formed with a vertically disposed closed chamber provided with a leak port at its top, said chamber communicating laterally near its lower end with said supply tank and being arranged to contain water at the level or such tank, a iushing pipe communicating with said chamber below its suppl;lv connection, an overiiow pipe in said chamber formed at its lower end with a valve governing communication between the annular space around said pipe and said flushing pipe, means tot' lifting said overtiow pipe to initiate a main flush of water through .said flushing pipe. said overflow pipe and hashing pipe together acting as a siphon to continue said flush upon the lowering of the overflow pipe`r and means for regulating the length of said main iush and producing a diminished after flow including a regulating chamber having check-valve-governed communication adjacent its lower end with said first mentioned chamber, and an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into said overflow tube and the other into the lower end of said regulating chamber, said air inlet tube having restricted communication with said regulating chamber.

8. In a siphonic flushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic flushing iiow, and means for regulating the length of said flushing low and producing a diminished siphonic after flow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having` check-valvegoverned communication adjacent its lower end with the shorter leg ot the siphon, an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into the long leg of the siphon and the other into the lower end of said regulating chamber, said air inlet tube having restricted communication with said regulating chamber and being arranged to interrupt the main siphonic tlushing flow when the water level is reduced in the regulating chamber, and means for admitting air to the crown oit the siphon to interrupt the after low.

9. In a siphonic flushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic flushing flow, and means for regulating the length of said flushing iiow and producing a diminished siphonic after flow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having check-valve-governed communication ad jacent the lower end with the shorter leg of the siphon, an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into the long leg` ot the siphon and the other into the lower end of said regulating chamber, said air inlet tube having restricted communication with said regulating chamber and being arranged to interrupt the main siphonic flushing flow when the water level is reduced in the regulating chamber, ioat-controlled means for admitting air to said air inlet tube intermediate its ends, and means for admitting air to the crown of the siphon to interrupt the afterlow.

l0. In a siphonic flushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic flushing flow, and means for regulating thc length of said flushing flow and producing a diminished siphonic after flow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having check-valve-governed communication adjacent its lower end with the shorter leg of the siphon, a cup arranged within said regulating chamber, an air inlet tube having depending branches extendingr one into the long leg of the siphon and the other into said cup, said air inlet tube hav` ing restricted communication with the space inside said cup, and a valve rod extending through the branch of said air inlet tube which extends into said cup equipped with a valve arranged to open communication with the atmosphere at its uaper end, said valve stem being arranged to be actuated by iiotation of said cup.

l1. In a siphonic iiushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic flushing flow, and means for regulating the length of said flushing flow and producing a diminished siphonic after flow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having check-valvegov erned communication adjacent its lower end with the shorter leg of the siphon, a cup arranged within said regulating chamber, an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into the long leg of the siphon and the other having a slotted lower end extending into said cup, a headed valve rod extending through said last mentioned branch equipped with a valve arranged to open communication with the atmosphere at its upper end, said valve stem being arranged to be actuated by {iotation orP said cup, and a check valve on the lower end of said valve rod adapted to c0- operate with the lower slotted end of said air inlet tube.

l2. ln a siphonic flushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic flushing flow, and means for regulating the length of said flushing flow and producing a diminished siphonic after flow includingcasing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having check-valve-governed communication adjacent its lower end with the shorter leg of the Siphon, a cup arranged Within said regulating chamber, an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into the long leg of the Siphon and the other having a slotted lower end extending into said cup, a headed valve rod extending through said last mentioned branch equipped with a valve arranged to open communication with the atmosphere at its upper end, said valve stem being arranged to be actuated by flotation of said cup, and a check valve on the lower end of said valve rod adapted to cooperate with the lower slotted end of said air inlet tube, said slotted en'd being equipped with an adjusting sleeve arranged to vary the area of the slot opening exposed.

13. In a siphonic liushing device including a closed casing formed with flow passages constituting the short and long legs of the Siphon, said casing being provided with a leak opening at the crown of the Siphon, means for initiating a main siphonic li'ushing liow, and means 'for regulating the length of said iushing flow and producing a diminished siphonic alterflow including casing members formed with a regulating chamber, said regulating chamber having checlr-valve-governed communication adjacent its lower end with the short-er leg of the Siphon, a cup arranged within said regulating chamber, an air inlet tube having depending branches extending one into the long leg of the Siphon and the other into said cup, said air inlet tube having restricted communication with the space inside Said cup, and a valve rod extending through the branch of said air inlet tube which extends into said cup equipped with a valve arranged to open communication with the atmosphere at its upper end, said valve stem being arranged to be actuated by flotation of said cup.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

ROBERT A. BROOKS. 

